Summer is here. The weather is warm. Flowers are in full bloom…and here come the allergies!

An estimated 40 to 60 million American adults suffer from allergies, and these numbers are continuing to rise, especially among children. Common allergy symptoms include runny and stuffy noses, watery eyes, sneezing, headaches, and an inability to smell anything.

The good news is that peppermint essential oil offers an effective method of combating the symptoms of allergies! For many allergy sufferers, inhaling diffused peppermint oil will immediately offer relief for a scratchy or sore throat, as well as unclog noses and the sinuses. This is due to the fact that peppermint essential oil acts as an expectorant. It also possesses the power to reduce inflammation and discharge phlegm.

In 2010, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study that examined the effects of peppermint on rats’ tracheal rings. The results of the study suggested that peppermint oil works as a relaxant and inhibits the contractions that cause a person to cough.

A similar study published in the European Journal of Medical Research discovered that peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that enable it to effectively combat the symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and hay fever.

How to Use Peppermint Oil to Treat Allergy Symptoms

At home, you should diffuse 5 drops of peppermint essential oil in a diffuser to alleviate a scratchy throat and to unclog sinuses. Doing so encourages the nasal muscles to relax, which enables your body to remove allergens and mucus from the nasal passages and lungs. To further reduce inflammation, 1-2 drops of essential oil can be can be safely consumed internally once a day. However, peppermint oil should not be given internally to children without consulting their pediatrician first.

The peppermint oil can be added to a smoothie, a cup of your favorite tea, or to a glass of water. Peppermint essential oil can also be applied topically to the temples of the head, the back of the neck, or to the chest. Individuals who have sensitive skin should always dilute peppermint oil with their preferred carrier oil before applying it to the skin.

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